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February, 2009

NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, February 27, 2009

Boeing employees among dead
from plane crash in Amsterdam

SEATTLE — Boeing reports it has received confirmation from the U.S. State Department that two Boeing employees have been identified as among the fatalities from this week's Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 accident in Amsterdam. Boeing extends its deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues. A third Boeing employee on Flight 1951 sustained injuries and remains hospitalized. The company is awaiting official notification about the condition of the fourth employee on the flight. Boeing remains committed to supporting the families of our employees through this very difficult time. Given the pending information, and at the request of some of the affected families, the specific condition of each employee on the airplane isn't being released by Boeing at this time.


Steel imports into US
up during month of January

WASHINGTON, DC — Preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in January 2009 increased 13.36 percent from December 2008. This change in January’s total amount of steel imports was due to an increase in several categories including reinforcing bars (295.16 percent), cold-rolled sheets (59.32 percent), and carbon & alloy line pipe (25.51 percent). Notable decreases included galvanized hot-dipped sheets & strip (-18.01 percent), wire rod (-16.98 percent), and stainless blooms, billets, & slabs (-15.40 percent). January 2009 imports of steel mill products were down 12.16 percent compared to January 2008. Oil country goods, however, increased 136.44 percent from January 2008 to January 2009.


New NOAA study looks at
pollution from commercial ships

WASHINGTON, DC — Globally, commercial ships emit almost half as much particulate matter pollutants into the air as the total amount released by the world’s cars, according to a new study led by NOAA and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ship pollutants affect local air quality and the health of people living along coastlines. The findings appear online this week in the Journal of Geophysical Research. The study is the first to provide a global estimate of maritime shipping’s total contribution to air particle pollution based on direct measurements of emissions. The authors estimate that globally, ships emit 0.9 teragrams, or about 2.2 million pounds, of particle pollution each year.


US rail freight traffic
down again during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads continued to show the effects of the economic slowdown during the week ended February 21 as volume remained well below totals reported during the comparison week last year, the Association of American Railroads reports. U.S carload freight totaled 278,827 cars, down 14.2 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 12.8 percent in the West and 16.0 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 168,194 trailers or containers was off 25.3 percent from last year, with container volume falling 23.4 percent and trailer volume dropping 32.3 percent. This year's total was affected by the Lunar New Year while the 2008 total was not. Total volume was estimated at 29.6 billion ton-miles, off 13.2 percent from 2008. All but one of nineteen carload commodity groups was off last week in comparison with last year, with the only increase being registered by the miscellaneous category of "all other carloads" which was up 42.2 percent. For the first seven weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,893,051 carloads, down 15.9 percent from 2008; 1,339,230 trailers or containers, down 15.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 201.0 billion ton-miles, down 14.7 percent.


Maritime academy vessel
honored for rescue mission

VALLEJO, CA — Capt. Paul Leyda and crewmembers of the California Maritime Academy’s Training Ship GOLDEN BEAR (TSGB) have been honored with the 2008 Mary Patten Valiant Ship Award and Commendation for Bravery and Outstanding Seamanship. The honor, given by the Women’s Propeller Club of the United States, was awarded in recognition of the actions of the captain and crew in an August, 2008 rescue of two fishermen. adrift in a small power boat some 80 miles off the coast of Monterey, CA. When the single engine on the boat failed, the men managed to radio the Coast Guard of their plight. The 500-foot GOLDEN BEAR was in the area, returning home on the final leg of its four-month long Pacific training voyage with some 240 faculty, staff and students aboard.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, February 26, 2009

Port of Longview breaks record
for operating revenue during 2008

LONGVIEW — In a presentation to the Board of Commissioners, Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren reported 2008 as a record setting year for the Port of Longview. In 2008 operating revenue reached a port best $23,486,930. Last year is the first time the port has ever exceeded the $20 million dollar mark, second
closest being $19,825,917 in 1999. Operating revenue was a reported 26 percent higher in 2008 than $18,661,118 in 2007. As a result of the record income, net
operating revenue (before depreciation) rose more than 100 percent to $2,854,692. Port officials attribute much of the revenue increase to continued wind energy cargo handling.


TWIC goes into force
at Northwest ports Saturday

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard reminds port facility workers and related industries, that beginning Saturday a TWIC will be required for access to waterfront facilities that are regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act, 2002. This will apply to all regulated facilities in Wash., Ore., Idaho and Mont. The Coast Guard requests that all personnel who have enrolled in the TWIC program who have not picked up and activated their TWIC to do so as soon as possible to preclude delays in accessing port facilities. Personnel are reminded that they must return to the center where they enrolled in order to have their card activated. Many centers are open for extended hours and on Saturday to support the activation and enrollment process.


Vancouver BC labor vote results
on hold until Friday, March 6

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports that ILWU Local 514 held the ratification vote February 24, 2009 on the tentative agreement reached with the BCMEA on February 13th. The Union has indicated that the ballots will be sealed and not opened until Friday March 06, 2009, when they will be counted and the result communicated. Local 514 has advised that they are receiving mail-in ballots from various locations across the Province up to March 05, 2009


BNSF helps deliver
new jobs during 2008

FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway Company's 2008 economic development efforts were instrumental in the location of 127 new or expanded facilities in communities along BNSF. The development of these facilities resulted in about $4 billion in investments and the creation of more than 4,000 new jobs. For example BNSF's economic development team assisted a local volunteer business group in Weston County, WY. To revitalize the area, the Weston County Development Board created a plan to build a regional industrial park, the Upton Regional Industrial Site. The 600-acre site is attracting new businesses to the area and will become home to a variety of industries. The site will also serve as a BNSF premier rail transloading site. BNSF also helped to locate ethanol plants in Texas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and California; agriculture producers and processors in North and South Dakota, Mississippi, New Mexico and Oregon; and steel industries in New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota, Oregon and Illinois. Other industry expansions included companies dealing in lumber, construction materials, plastics, paper, machinery and scrap.


Top Ships lowers rate
for time charter on ASTRALE

ATHENS — TOP Ships Inc. has announced that it has agreed with Armada Singapore Pte Ltd., time charterers of the mv ASTRALE, to reduce the time-charter rate from $72,000 to $40,000 for the three remaining hire payments until the scheduled termination of the time charter and redelivery of the vessel to the Owners, which is expected to take place in April 2009. The loss of hire to the Company is estimated to be approximately $1,500,000.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Cleanup project targets
old mill site in Anacortes

ANACORTES — Comments are being sought on a possible cleanup plan for an old mill site on Fidalgo Bay that could remake the Anacortes waterfront’s environmental and economic future. The proposed cleanup of the former Scott Paper mill site is the largest single cleanup effort to date planned under the Puget Sound Initiative. The initiative is a comprehensive effort by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental communities, scientists, and the public to restore and protect the Sound. The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is working with the Port of Anacortes, Kimberly-Clark and MJB Properties to clean up the site. The Scott site totals about 41 acres between 17th and 20th streets, and east of Q Avenue in downtown Anacortes.Public comments will be accepted through March 25. You may submit comments to Panjini Balaraju, Site Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program, Washington Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600; e-mail pbal461@ecy.wa.gov.


TWIC enforcement may snarl traffic
near Port of Seattle terminals

SEATTLE — Seattle drivers may encounter traffic backups on arterial streets near entries to several waterfront terminals at the beginning of the work week, on March 2 and 3. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) traffic managers anticipate the terminal sites with the greatest potential for traffic impacts are:
* Terminal 5 (in West Seattle off of SW Spokane Street),
* Terminal 18 (Harbor Island off of SW Spokane Street), and
* Terminal 46 (off of Alaskan Way S at S Atlantic Street).
Starting Saturday, February 28, the U S Coast Guard will begin enforcing federal requirements for new identification credentials for all truck drivers and other workers entering secured port areas. While the TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credentials) card requirement has been widely publicized, it is difficult to estimate how many drivers might arrive on Monday without the card. Agencies and terminal operators have been working together for several months to prepare for these new regulations. SDOT Commercial Vehicle enforcement officers, Port of Seattle Police, and terminal managers will be partnering to minimize any traffic disruptions. For more information on the card requirement, see www.tsa.gov/twic


Election around the corner
for Astoria port commission seats

ASTORIA — The Port of Astoria reports that on May 19th a special districts election will be held. The filing period is until March 19th. In the upcoming election three port commission seats, position 1, position 2, and position 5 are up for election. These are county-wide, non-districted seats. Candidates residing anywhere in the county may run for any seat. See the Clatsop County website for additional details: http://www.co.clatsop.or.us Click on "Clerk/Elections." Candidates will need to go to the county elections office at 820 Exchange Avenue in Astoria in order to file. Telephone 503-325-8605.


Tsakos extends contract
for Suezmax tanker TRIATHLON

ATHENS — Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN) has announced that the seven year time-charter with profit sharing for the 2002-built double hull Suezmax tanker TRIATHLON will be extended for an additional three years. The charter, which began in January 2004, will continue with the same charterer, a refiner. This optional period will extend the total employment of the TRIATHLON from seven years to ten, until 2014. Since the initiation of this charter in 2004 through the end of 2008, the vessel has generated gross revenues in excess of $62.0 million.


Crowley makes appointments
to Marine Personnel Department

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that it is continuing the expansion of its newly formed Marine Personnel Department through the appointments of Scott Craig to director West Coast/Alaska and Margaret Reasoner, director, East Coast/Gulf. Mr. Craig will have responsibility for the Seattle, Long Beach and Anchorage crewing locations that service operations from southern California to northwestern Alaska encompassing more than 70-crewed vessels and 800-plus mariners. Ms. Reasoner will have day-to-day responsibility for more than 65-crewed vessels and approximately 1,200 mariners in locations from Lake Charles, Lou. to Petty's Island, NJ including deep sea and towing operations that encompass tankers, container ships, government and commercially owned vessels as well as Crowley's new 750 series ATB fleet.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, February 23, 2009

APL increasing rates
for Asia-Europe trade

SINGAPORE — Container shipping leader APL is moving to implement a rate increase in the Asia-Europe trade. Eastbound, for traffic from Europe to Asia, effective 15 March 2009 the quantum of the increase will be up to US$175 per container for paper and scrap commodities and US$100 per container for all other commodities. The quantum of the freight rate increase sought on containers shipped from Asia to Europe on the westbound leg is US$250 per TEU, with implementation effective April 1, 2009.


Washington state sees growth
in export numbers for 2008

OLYMPIA — Washington exports set a new record in 2008 by growing to $66.8 billion, a $400 million increase over 2007. The state also maintained its rank as the 4th largest exporter in the U.S. by total value. Agricultural exports were especially strong, led by a 90 percent increase in cereal exports over 2007. A weak U.S. dollar during part of the year contributed to the increased demand for agricultural products. Exports of aerospace products, which were impacted by the two-month labor strike, fell nearly 20 percent in 2008. Growth in most other sectors, including industrial machinery, forest products, and high-tech equipment, made up for the shortfall. The trade statistics released by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) were compiled by the World Institute for Strategic and Economic Research (WISER).


Korean lines link up
on Intra-Asia services

TAIPEI — Taiwan's two leading carriers Evergreen Line and Wan Hai Lines have announced that they have concluded co-operative agreements on Intra-Asia trades covering Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and Korea commencing late this month. The agreements consist of slot exchanges between Evergreen's North East Asia-South East Asia Service-A (NSA)/ North East Asia-South East Asia Service-B (NSB) and Wan Hai's Korea-South East Asia Service (KSS) /Korea-Vietnam Service (KVS).


Grand Alliance carriers
bypassing Suez Canal

TOKYO — Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd, MISC Berhad, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have announced they will re-route all eastbound EU3 service vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, instead of transiting the Suez Canal. Presently there are no changes planned for the westbound trade. The decision, which takes place with immediate effect, is in response to high Suez Canal toll fees. Port rotation of EU3 remains the same: Southampton/ Hamburg/ Rotterdam/Port Klang/ Singapore/Shekou/ Hong Kong/ Ningbo/ Shanghai, with an extra seven days added to the schedule due to the diversion. 10 ships of 8,000TEUs are operating on the service. The Grand Alliance will consider re-routing more services if the overall economic situation does not improve.


Ship makes record pass
through Panama Canal

PANAMA CITY — One of the oldest operating cruise ships, the SAGA ROSE has transited the Panama Canal as part of its final round-the-world cruise. This will be the ship’s 44th global tour, more than any other cruise ship in history. The SAGA ROSE arrived at the Canal February 5, following an initial departure from Southampton, England January 5. The ship will travel for more than 104 nights to destinations in the Caribbean, South America, Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe, before returning to Portsmouth, England April 20. Built in 1965, the SAGA ROSE is dedicating its last world tour to the 60th anniversary of the modern British Commonwealth, an association of 53 states including former British colonies and territories. Beginning in late October 2009, the SAGA ROSE will embark on a farewell voyage in the Mediterranean before retiring December 6, 2009.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, February 20, 2009

Allegiant Air adding flights
from Bellingham to Los Angeles

BELLINGHAM — Allegiant Air, LLC, has announced new, nonstop jet service to Los Angeles from Bellingham International Airport beginning May 2. The new flights will operate two times weekly between Bellingham and Los Angeles International Airport with service Wednesday and Saturday. Beginning May 2, flights will depart Bellingham at 7 a.m. arriving in Los Angeles at 9:35 a.m. Flights leaving Los Angeles will depart at 10:45 a.m. arriving in Bellingham at 1:30 p.m. (all flight times are local). Beginning May 25, the airline will add Monday flights. Allegiant provides service from Bellingham to six other U.S. cities including: Las Vegas, San Francisco/Oakland, Calif., Palm Springs, Calif., Phoenix/Mesa, Reno, Nev. and San Diego.


Boeing celebrates delivery
of 777 Freighter to Air France

EVERETT — Boeing has celebrated the delivery of the company's first 777 Freighter to launch customer Air France in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour near Paine Field. Providing cargo capacity normally associated with larger airplanes, the 777 Freighter can fly 4,880 nautical miles (9,038 kilometers) with a full payload of 226,700 pounds (103 metric tons). The new airplane is expected to progressively replace the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in the Air France Cargo fleet. Air France currently operates five 747-400ER Freighters and four 747-400BCFs.


Negative weeks continue
for US rail freight traffic

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. railroads reported that freight volume during the week ended February 14 was once again down in comparison with last year, although it was up from the previous week this year, according to the Association of American Railroads. Carload freight totaled 281,533 cars, down 12.2 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 9.3 percent in the West and 16.3 percent in the East. Carload volume during the week was at its highest level so far this year and was up 6.2 percent from the previous week this year. Intermodal volume of 191,410 trailers or containers was off 12.9 percent from last year, with container volume falling 8.4 percent and trailer volume dropping 29.3 percent. Intermodal volume was virtually the same as during the previous week this year. Total volume was estimated at 29.9 billion ton-miles, off 11.0 percent from 2008 but up 6.0 percent from the previous week this year. Seventeen of nineteen carload commodity groups were off last week in comparison with last year, with coal up 0.1 percent and the miscellaneous category of "all other carloads" up 20.7 percent. For the first six weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,614,224 carloads, down 16.1 percent from 2008; 1,171,036 trailers or containers, down 13.2 percent; and total volume of an estimated 171.4 billion ton-miles, down 14.9 percent.


Port of Bremerton marinas
earn EnviroStars recognition

PORT ORCHARD — The Kitsap County Health District has awarded the new Bremerton Marina and the Port Orchard Marina, both operated by the Port of Bremerton, the highest rating attainable in the EnviroStars Program. This 5-Star level of performance concurrently qualifies both facilities to be designated as official Washington State “Clean Marinas.” Nationally recognized, the EnviroStars Program certifies businesses for reducing, recycling, and properly managing hazardous waste. The goal of the EnviroStars Program is to give businesses incentives and recognition for reducing hazardous waste, while giving consumers an objective way to identify environmentally sound businesses. Clean Marina Washington was created in 2005 as an expansion of the EnviroStars program and is an incentive-based certification program in which marinas assess their operations and implement improvements to better protect the environment.


AAPA presents Tom Dow
with annual cruise award

MAZATLAN, Mexico — The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), representing seaports throughout the Western Hemisphere, at its annual Cruise Seminar in Mazatlán, México, has presented Tom Dow, vice president of public affairs for Carnival Corporation and PLC, with the association's prestigious Cruise Award. Previous awardees include Carnival Corporation's founder and former chairman, the late Tom Arison (2006), and the Québec Port Authority's president and chief executive, Ross Gaudreault (2008).


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, February 19, 2009

Longview Port Commissioners
Ok RSG Forest Products land deal

LONGVIEW — After several months of negotiating, the Port of Longview Board of Commissioners approved a settlement agreement and option to purchase real estate with RSG Forest Products (RSG). The agreement grants the port an option to acquire the last piece of property needed to allow the proposed EGT export grain facility to be developed at the port. The agreement allows the port to purchase approximately six acres from RSG to construct a rail line for the proposed facility. In December 2008, the Port of Longview Commission voted to exercise their right of eminent domain to acquire the six acre RSG parcel, all the while urging the port and RSG to continue negotiations and reach a settlement out of court. This agreement sets aside those condemnation proceedings. The prospective grain terminal at the Port, which would be the first export grain elevator built in the country in over twenty five years, has been in the planning stages for nearly three years.


Columbia/Snake navigation locks
set for maintenance closures

PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close navigation locks at dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers in March to conduct annual inspections, repairs and maintenance. The eight dams between Portland, Ore., and Lewiston, Idaho, will close to river traffic at 6 a.m., March 7, for routine maintenance. The affected locks are Portland District’s Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day locks and dams, at Columbia River Miles 145, 191 and 216 respectively, and Walla Walla District’s McNary Lock and Dam at Columbia River Mile 292; and Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite locks and dams, at Snake River Miles 9.7, 41.6, 70.3 and 107.3, respectively. All locks, except Lower Monumental and Little Goose, will re-open at 11:59 p.m., March 21. Lower Monumental and Little Goose locks will remain closed until 11:59 p.m. March 28 to accommodate additional contract work to be performed on their lock gates.


BC union sets date
for ratification vote

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports the BCMEA and ILWU have set a date for the Union's ratification vote. In the interest of moving the ratification process along quickly the parties have confirmed that a stop work meeting for ILWU 514's ratification vote of the February 13, 2009 tentative agreement will be held on the night shift of Tuesday February 24, 2009.


TOP ships takes delivery
of new product/chemical tanker

ATHENS — TOP Ships Inc. has announced that it has taken delivery of the M/T MISS MARILENA from SPP Plant & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd of the Republic of Korea. The MISS MARILENA is the first of six 50,000 dwt product / chemical tankers to be delivered within the first and second quarter of 2009. The MISS MARILENA has entered into a bareboat time-charter employment for a period of 10 years at a daily rate of $14,400.


Big Lots taps Hub Group
for logistics management

COLUMBUS, OH — Big Lots and Unyson Logistics, a division of Hub Group, Inc. have announced an alliance in which Unyson Logistics will provide logistics management services and technology for Big Lots' North American supply chain. Unyson Logistics will ultimately manage all transportation, excluding parcel, to or from Big Lots' facilities within North America.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Grand Alliance joins Zim
in new trans-Pacific runs

TOKYO — Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have announced they will cooperate with ZIM in two strings in the trans-Pacific trade, with immediate effect. The scope includes North China and Japan, South China, South East Asia to Canada and US North West Coast (NWX and PNX services). The services will operate on a weekly basis with a round voyage time of 42 days (PNX) and 35 days (NWX) respectively. ZIM will provide 3 x 8,000 TEU vessels and the Grand Alliance will provide 8 x 8,000 TEU vessels. Port rotation will be as follows: NWX - Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan, Seattle, Vancouver (Vanterm), Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe and Ningbo. PNX - Singapore, Laem Chabang, Shekou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Vancouver (Delta port), Seattle, Busan, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, Shekou and Singapore. The Grand Alliance, formed in 1998, is an integrated consortium in global container shipping. Its members are Hapag-Lloyd (Germany), MISC Berhad (Malaysia), NYK (Japan) and OOCL (Hong Kong). MISC Berhad does not operate on this trade and therefore has not participated in this particular agreement.


Public meetings to discuss
future of West Hayden Island

PORTLAND — The City of Portland and the Port of Portland are beginning a process to explore annexation of West Hayden Island into city boundaries as well as develop a long term land use plan for this property. The public is invited to get involved in the West Hayden Island annexation process at two meetings in February.

Community Working Group Meeting
Comments by Mayor Sam Adams and
Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt.
Portland City Hall, Rose Room
Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
1221 S.W. 4th Avenue, Portland
Contact: Alice Ann Wetzel, 503.823.9711

Community Town Hall Meeting
Q&A With Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt
Former Hayden Island Yacht Club (across from Safeway)
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
12050 N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland
Contact: Chris White, 503.944.7056


Port of Seattle honors Keeney's
with small business award

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle presented the first annual Small Business Champion Award to Keeney’s Office Plus, a family-owned Seattle business founded in 1947. The award was given at a reception honoring local businesses. Keeney’s joined the port’s Small Business initiative in 2005, serving a single port department. Because of their demonstrated commitment to customer service and cost control, the small business was soon working with all of the port’s major departments. Keeney’s president Lisa Keeney McCarthy credited the organization’s growth to an ongoing commitment to the customers that walk through their doors. "We’ve stayed committed to the basics – taking care of our customers," she noted. Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani made increasing small business opportunities at the port one of his priorities when he took the helm of the port in 2007. According to a recently released economic impact report, the port spent $53.6 million on service and construction contracts with small businesses located within the state. The ceremony also included recognition for the port’s Marine Maintenance team, which consistently exceeds the port’s small business involvement goals.


Boeing facilities earn
ISO 14001 designation

CHICAGO — Boeing has announced that all of its major manufacturing facilities received the internationally recognized ISO 14001 environmental certification by the end of 2008, marking achievement of one of the company's most significant environmental goals. Certification is a global benchmark of an organization's commitment to understand and continually improve its environmental performance.


Thomas Miller donates
computers to charities

LONDON — When Thomas Miller moved offices last year they decided to re-equip more than half their staff with 300 new computers. This left them with the problem of how to dispose of 400 pieces of equipment, including laptops, PCs and screens in an ethical and environmentally responsible way. Their solution was to contact Computer Aid International which refurbishes old computers for use in projects in the developing world. Shortly after Thomas Miller moved into its new headquarters in London, Computer Aid collected 300 computers and 100 screens from Thomas Miller's old building and took them to its workshop in North London. There each hard drive was data wiped to UK Secret Service standards, ensuring no data can be recovered, and then each computer was refurbished for re-use. Thomas Miller also donated sufficient funds to meet the cost of refurbishing and transporting the machines to Computer Aid’s beneficiaries. Thomas Miller's old equipment is now being used in Kenya to train teachers and teach women IT skills, in Rwanda to run health centers and in remote parts of Chile to teach children IT skills in disadvantaged schools.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, February 16, 2009

Tentative deal reached
in BC labor dispute

VANCOUVER, BC — Negotiations between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union resumed on February 12. The parties report they have reached a tentative settlement that will be subject to ratification by their respective memberships.


Coast Guard posts survey
on need for Umpqua lighthouse

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is asking mariners to take part in a survey to determine if the Umpqua River Light is necessary for safe navigation. The Umpqua River Light is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast located at the mouth of the Umpqua River on Winchester Bay in Douglas County. The survey can be downloaded at http://www.uscg.mil/d13/dpw/wams.asp. It can also be accessed by calling (206) 220-7283 or by e-mailing d13-pf-d13dpw@uscg.mil to request the survey by mail."


Grand Alliance teams with Zim
to provide Med/Black Sea service

TOKYO — Grand Alliance members - Hapag-Lloyd, MISC Berhad, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have announced plans to restructure the coverage of the Asia-East Med/Black Sea trade. After having suspended the ABX service as reported earlier, the Grand Alliance is now offering an East Med/Black Sea Express service (EMX) in co-operation with ZIM Lines. The rotation of the EMX is Pusan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Port Klang, Colombo, Nhava Sheva, Istanbul, Novorossiysk, Constanta, Istanbul, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, Port Klang, Shekou, Pusan. First sailing will be the ZIM YOKOHAMA ETA February 23, 2009 at Pusan. With this arrangement the Grand Alliance Lines continue to offer a direct coverage to the main ports in the East Med as well as Black Sea. The Grand Alliance, formed in 1998, is an integrated consortium in global container shipping. Its members are Hapag-Lloyd (Germany), MISC Berhad (Malaysia), NYK (Japan) and OOCL (Hong Kong). MISC Berhad does not provide any Transpacific services.


FHWA figures show
truck fatality rate dropping

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations reports figures recently released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicate that the truck-involved fatality rate in 2007 declined 5.8 percent to 2.12 per 100 million miles from 2.25 per 100 million miles in 2006. Since new hours-of-service regulations took effect in 2005, the truck-involved fatality rate has come down more than 10 percent and is at its lowest since records began to be kept in 1975. The truck-involved fatal crash rate and the truck-occupant fatality rate also declined from 2006 to 2007. The truck-involved fatal crash rate declined 4.5 percent to 1.85 per 100 million miles and the truck-occupant fatality rate declined 1.98 percent to 0.35 per 100 million miles. These crash rates are based on the FHWA's figures that report vehicle miles traveled by truck increased in 2007 to 226.96 billion miles from 222.5 billion in 2006. During that same time, the actual number of truck-involved fatal crashes fell to 4,190 from 4,321.


ACP forms committee
to oversee project proposals

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced the final composition of the ACP Evaluation Committee that will review proposals submitted by consortia vying to win the largest contract under the $5.25 billion Canal Expansion Program – the design and construction of the new set of locks. The committee is comprised of 15 canal employees selected through a progress launched in October 2007. Proposals for the new set of locks contract will be submitted to the ACP March 3 and separated into two categories – price and technical. Price proposals will be moved to an independent and secure environment while technical proposals are evaluated. The 15 committee members will asses select aspects of each technical proposal in separate teams divided by areas of expertise. During the evaluation process, members will receive support from more than 40 local and international specialists and work in coordination with the ACP’s Official Contracting Office. The ACP also hired Deloitte to audit the technical review process and certify the committee follows the rigorous analysis procedure to evaluate the bids.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, February 13, 2009

Port of Olympia receives grant
to help with cleanup project

OLYMPIA — Port of Olympia Commissioners on Feb. 9th accepted a Washington State Department of Ecology matching grant that is helping clean up Budd Inlet and is restoring parts of shipping berths 2 and 3 to a depth of -38 feet. The project is also helping the port evaluate future clean-up alternatives for the port’s remaining navigational areas. The estimate for the pilot project’s cost and the first part of maintenance dredging is $3,312,068. Project costs including consulting, monitoring and contracting fees are eligible for the 50 percent grant match up to $2,241,738.


Schnitzer Steel buys
Puerto Rican metals recycler

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has announced that it has acquired Ponce Resources, Inc., of Salinas, Puerto Rico ("Ponce"). Ponce is engaged in the business of collecting, processing, and selling ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal and operates at four locations in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Terms of the transaction were not announced.


Port of Coos Bay nets loans
to purchase CORP rail line

COOS BAY — The Oregon Economic and Community Development (OECD) Commission has approved $12.6 million in bridge loans that will enable the Port of Coos Bay to purchase the rail line that was shut down by Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad (CORP). As a result of the September 2007 short-line closure – traveling 120 miles between Eugene and Coos Bay – approximately 750 direct jobs at rail-served manufacturing sites in the South Coast region are at risk. The potential loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector could also have triggered the loss of a larger number of indirect and induced jobs in the region, local officials estimated. On Feb. 5, the OECD Commission unanimously approved two Special Public Works Fund loans totaling approximately $12.6 million to allow the port to have sufficient funds to purchase the line later this month. One loan, for $7.2 million, will be paid off within 24 months following the port’s receipt of federal transportation funds. The second loan - $5.4 million – has a 25 year repayment schedule. In addition, to these loans, ODOT provided $4 million in ConnectOregon financing for the project. Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad (CORP), the current owner of the line, filed a rail service embargo notice with the Association of American Railroads for the majority of the Coos Bay rail line from west of Eugene to Coquille and discontinued railroad service in late September 2007. CORP stated that three tunnels on the line were unsafe and did not comply with Federal Railroad Administration standards. They sought funding assistance plus annual subsidies from ODOT’s Rail Division to restore service on the line. On November 10, 2008 the federal Surface Transportation Board awarded the port the opportunity to purchase the line for $16,605,987 with the purchase to be completed by February 18, 2009.


Rail freight traffic count
down again during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads during the week ended February 7 was off again in comparison with last year, although up slightly from the previous week this year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled 265,143 cars, down 16.1 percent from the comparison week in 2008, with loadings down 12.2 percent in the West and 21.6 percent in the East. Compared with the previous week this year, carload volume was up 1.4 percent. Intermodal volume of 191,511 trailers or containers was off 15.0 percent from last year, with container volume falling 10.9 percent and trailer volume dipping 29.7 percent. Intermodal volume was up 0.9 percent from the previous week this year. Total volume was estimated at 28.2 billion ton-miles, off 15.1 percent from 2008 but up 1.4 percent from the previous week this year. Eighteen of nineteen carload commodity groups were off last week in comparison with last year, with the only increase being reported in the miscellaneous category of "all other carloads," which was up 8.6 percent. For the first five weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,332,691 carloads, down 16.7 percent from 2008; 979,626 trailers or containers, down 13.3 percent; and total volume of an estimated 141.5 billion ton-miles, down 15.6 percent.


Port of Portland schedules
airport advisory group meeting

PORTLAND — The twelfth meeting of the Portland Airport Futures Planning Advisory Group is Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Port of Portland Commission Room, 121 NW Everett St. in Portland. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting; public comment is welcome. The meeting includes a review of the land use plan components, proposed airport development projects and review procedures, and a discussion of how natural resources will be addressed in this context. In addition, the PAG will hear a presentation from port staff about current PDX sustainability efforts and consider action on the project’s sustainability policy statement. Airport Futures is a collaborative effort between the port, City of Portland, and the Portland-Vancouver communities to create an integrated long-range development plan for PDX.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Greenbrier Companies
plans cost-cutting measures

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced it is downsizing its work force, implementing wage reductions, and introducing other cost-cutting measures in response to current macroeconomic conditions and continued softness in the railroad supply market. These actions will result in approximately $16 million of annualized savings in general and administrative expense ($7 million) and cost of revenue ($9 million). This reduction is in addition to about $10 million of reductions realized from initiatives undertaken in the company's fiscal 2008. The layoffs and early retirements will affect about 150 employees,
most of whom are part of factory overhead at the Company's Gunderson and Concarril new railcar facilities and at various Greenbrier Rail Services railcar repair and refurbishment shop locations. Staff reductions are also taking place at the company's corporate offices in Lake Oswego and other office locations in North America. Further cost reductions will also be implemented at the company's European new railcar operations.


Port Metro Vancouver
taps new president/CEO

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver Chair Sarah Morgan-Silvester has announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Robin Silvester as the new president and chief executive officer. Mr. Silvester is currently based in Australia as chief executive of United Group Services ANZ, an organization that focuses on property and facilities management in Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Silvester has spent a significant part of his career in the ports sector, working in a number of senior roles internationally with P&O Ports.


US sees increase
in 2008 export numbers

WASHINGTON, DC — With the release of December 2008 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. exports of goods and services grew by 12.0 percent in 2008 to $1.84 trillion, while imports increased 7.4 percent to $2.52 trillion. In December 2008, the U.S. goods and services trade deficit ($39.9 billion) was the lowest monthly deficit since February 2003. This led to a 3.3 percent improvement in the annual goods and services deficit for 2008. Exports comprised 13.1 percent of U.S. GDP in 2008. To put in historical terms, exports were 9.5 percent of U.S. GDP five years earlier (2003), and 5.3 percent 40 years ago (1968).


Genco Shipping & Trading
takes hit from Samsun Logix filing

NEW YORK — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has confirmed that the GENCO CAVALIER, a 2007-built Supramax vessel, is the only ship in the company's 32-vessel operating fleet that was on charter to Samsun Logix Corporation, which the company understands has filed for the equivalent of bankruptcy protection in South Korea. Charter hire for the GENCO CAVALIER has been received up until January 30, 2009. The charter for the GENCO CAVALIER represented approximately three percent of Genco's reported revenues for the third quarter of 2008.


Olympia Port Commission
looking to fill advisory board slot

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia Commission is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Port Advisory Committee (PAC). The commission will make one three-year appointment and two alternate appointments. The Port Advisory Committee is composed of 12 volunteer citizen members and generally meets once a month. The committee was formed in 1994 as an outcome of the port’s strategic planning process and provides advice and assistance to the port commission on a variety of issues determined by the commission. Current PAC members include Lisa Cosmillo, Rodney Edgbert, Darlene Kemery, Keith Laws, Don Melnick, Riley Moore, Kevin Partlow, Joe Raudebaugh, Len Trautman, Darrel Webster and Jim Wright. Applicants must be Thurston County residents. For additional information and an application form, call 360-528-8005 or visit the port’s website at www.portolympia.com. The application deadline is Monday, February 23, 2009.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Port of Grays Harbor sees first
shipment of outbound autos

GRAYS HARBOR — Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines’ MV JEAN ANNE is performing a first on the vessel's 100th voyage, the 579 foot ship is loading over 1,100 cars outbound at the Port of Grays Harbor. The JEAN ANNE provides dedicated Roll-On/Roll-Off service between the Mainland and Hawaii. Its competitive edge comes from the ship’s ten fully-enclosed decks, eliminating exposure to the elements, and from its ease in loading and offloading. The Pasha Group and the Port of Grays Harbor entered into a joint marketing agreement last month. Grays Harbor handled its first inbound shipment of 3,100 autos in mid January. This shipment will be the first outbound shipment of autos through Grays Harbor. The vehicles originated in the greater Seattle area and began arriving by truck carriers last week.


Transpacific carriers drop plan
to seek amendment to TSA

OAKLAND — Transpacific container shipping lines have advised the Federal Maritime Commission that they will not pursue an amendment to the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) that would allow them to discuss potential vessel capacity program options in the Asia-U.S. trade. TSA filed the amendment on December 18, 2008, to take effect on February 1, 2009 absent any further Commission action after a 45-day review period. The FMC instead issued a formal request for additional information in late January, triggering another minimum 45-day delay. “This would put the effective date of the amendment into late March or April at the earliest,” TSA executive administrator Brian M. Conrad told the FMC in a February 9 letter. “Since this amendment provides only for discussion authority, and contemplates a further amendment if a program is agreed to, the effective date of any program would then be pushed well into the summer. “As the challenges facing the carriers continue to mount, time is critical,” Mr. Conrad said. “Given the Commission’s decision to delay the effectiveness of the amendment and the attendant uncertainties that have been created, the members believe that the benefit of this discussion authority, which is urgently needed, is severely diminished.”


Panama Canal Authority
taps Deloitte as project auditor

PANAMA CITY — In a move to ensure a fair, open and transparent process in the awarding of the largest contract under the Panama Canal Expansion Program, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has selected Deloitte as the ACP’s new third set of locks contracting auditor. In that capacity, Deloitte will oversee the technical aspect for the new third set of locks contract. Specifically, Deloitte will work closely with the ACP to audit, verify and certify that the ACP’s Evaluation Committee follows the rigorous analysis process to evaluate the technical proposals to be submitted by the qualifying consortia.


NOL Group reports lower
net profit total for 2008

SINGAPORE — The NOL Group has reported a net profit for 2008 of US$83 million, after restructuring charges of US$72 million. This was 84 percent lower than 2007. The group’s 2008 Core EBIT of US$213 million was down 64 percent from the prior year, while revenue for 2008 was up 14 percent year-on-year to a record US$9.29 billion. For the fourth quarter of 2008 (4Q08), the company reported a net loss of US$149 million and a loss at Core EBIT level of US$45 million.


Port of Tacoma offers
public bus tours

TACOMA — Curious about what goes on at the Port of Tacoma? Hop on the FREE Bus Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at how the port operates. Guided by port staff, you'll see the machines that move cargo and learn how port activities impact the region's economy. Tours are offered nearly every month and last about 90 minutes. Upcoming tours: Thursday, February 12 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, March 19 at 3 p.m. Tours leave from The Fabulich Center, 3600, Port of Tacoma Rd., Tacoma. Space is limited and reservations are required. Children age 6 and over are welcome. Photo identification is required for passengers over 17 years of age. NOTE: Bus Tours are subject to cancellation due to severe weather or unforeseen emergency situations.To make a reservation Call: 253-383-9463 or E-mail: bustours@portoftacoma.com - provide names of everyone in your party and a phone number where you can be reached.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, February 9, 2009

Seattle-Tacoma Airport
nets good report from FAA

SEATTLE — For the sixth time in 10 years, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport received a discrepancy-free report card from its annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Certification Inspection. This year's four-day, comprehensive review included Sea-Tac's new third runway as an element of the inspection for the first time. The FAA's review is a rigorous inspection covering all components of an airport's ability to provide a safe operating facility for airline and passenger customers. The inspection focused on employee training, training documentation, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), aircraft fueling procedures and fuel truck safety, safety during construction, wildlife control, low visibility procedures, the Airport Emergency Plan, and a thorough airfield evaluation.


Port Tracker report predicts
tough times for container industry

WASHINGTON, DC — After ending 2008 down 7.9 percent, cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to drop at an even faster pace during the first half of 2009 as the economic recession continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Final data for 2008 showed volume for the year at 15.2 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units, compared with 16.5 million TEU in 2007, a decline of 7.9 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent. Volume for the first six months of 2009 is forecast at 6.6 million TEU, down 11.8 percent from the 7.5 million TEU seen during the same period in 2008. Port Tracker forecasts only six months into the future, so an estimate of volume for the entire year won’t be available until this summer.


Fire hits Greenbrier's
Illinois wheel facility

LAKE OWSEGO, OR — Early Saturday morning January 31, 2009, a building fire caused extensive damage to the wheel facility in Washington, Illinois operated by Greenbrier Rail Services (GRS), a subsidiary of The Greenbrier Companies. The cause of the fire has not been determined and no one was injured. The company is fully insured for the fire. Greenbrier continues to serve all of its customers by shifting work from the damaged facility to other locations within GRS' network. The company expects no significant disruption in service for its customers.


Three rebuilt gantry cranes
arrive at Port of Guam

PITI, GUAM — Three gantry cranes purchased jointly by Horizon Lines, Inc. and Matson Navigation Company arrived February 8, at the Port of Guam. The two U.S. Jones Act container carriers acquired the cranes from the Port of Los Angeles in 2008 and have retrofitted and modified the cranes to enhance their productivity and handling capabilities. The cranes are scheduled to be installed at the Port of Guam over the next month and are anticipated to be operational by the end of March. The joint investment by Horizon Lines and Matson will help to ensure that Guam is equipped with modern, reliable transportation infrastructure that can support projected growth in cargo volumes over the next decade.


Coast Guard taps Brubaker
as top enlisted person for 2008

SEATTLE — Petty Officer Second Class Kari Brubaker, a storekeeper at the US Coast Guard's Integrated Support Command (ISC) in Seattle was chosen as the Enlisted Person of the Year (EPOY) for 2008. Petty Officer Brubaker serves in the ISC's Comptroller Division's Property and Logistics Branch as the assistant property dministrator. In this capacity, Petty Officer Brubaker supervised 20 property custodians responsible for ISC's General Purpose Property valued at over $42.2 million. As the Assistant Recycling Coordinator, Petty Officer Brubaker was responsible for the proper recycling of metals, paper products and wood pallets for the ISC and tenant commands. Over 76,000 pounds in metal products were processed, which generated nearly $6,300 in recycled proceeds for the Pacific Northwest Morale/Welfare/Recreation program. In turn, these proceeds benefit all of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District's morale programs.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, February 6, 2009

Port of Vancouver, USA sees
wind energy business expanding

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA is in good shape to be a leader not only in the handling of imported wind energy cargo, but also the creation of new jobs and economic development for the community. At this week’s Port Re:Port, Executive Director Larry Paulson said the port had felt some economic pain, but was in good shape entering what he sees as a promising 2009. In his state of the port address, Mr. Paulson announced a three-year extension to an existing contract with Vestas Wind Systems, which includes options for extending the contract. He also announced an agreement in principal on a new two-year contract with Siemens Energy. The Siemens contract is subject to management approval, which is expected next week. The work that comes with these agreements is expected to provide 235 jobs and $20 million in economic value to the community.


January not kind
to rail freight traffic

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. rail carload traffic fell 17.2 percent (221,426 carloads) to 1,067,548 carloads in the first four weeks of 2009 compared with the first four weeks of 2008, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. U.S. rail intermodal traffic (which is not included in carloads) fell 12.9 percent (116,823 trailers and containers) to 788,115 units in January. Total January volume was estimated at 113.3 billion ton-miles, down 15.9 percent from a year earlier.


Allegiant Air plans flights
from Bellingham to someplace

BELLINGHAM — Allegiant Air has announced it will offer low-cost, nonstop flights from Bellingham International Airport to a soon-to be-announced sunny, new destination. Bellingham is one of only 13 markets to receive the new, nonstop service which will be announced officially Feb. 18. Allegiant is also offering the community the chance to guess the destination Allegiant will be announcing on Feb. 18. The carrier's "Guess Allegiant's New Destination and Win!" contest can be found at www.allegiantair.com/contest . Between Feb. 4 and 13, 2009, customers can enter their best guess. If the guess is correct, customers will be entered into a contest for a chance to win two roundtrip tickets to the new destination, or any Allegiant destination served from Bellingham. One winner from each market will be chosen. Allegiant began service out of Bellingham Aug. 5, 2004 and currently offers low-cost, nonstop flights to six other vacation destinations such as: Las Vegas; Reno, Nev.; Phoenix-Mesa; Palm Springs, Calif.; San Francisco/Oakland, Calif.; and San Diego, Calif.


Carriers plan new terminal
for Cai Mep region in Vietnam

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has signed a contract to establish a joint terminal operation company with Saigon Newport Company, Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd., and Wan Hai Lines, Ltd. The signing ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City. The terminal project will be located in Vietnam's Cai Mep region and is slated to start operation in 2011.


Portland Airport contest
looking for 'super' film makers

PORTLAND — Do you have an interest in overseas travel and a knack for creating video, animation or stop action visual productions? Then a new Port of Portland contest is for you. Budding cinematographers and directors have until midnight on March 20 to submit a 60-second video that tells viewers why they want to be a “local super hero” and fly nonstop from PDX to Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Tokyo. The grand prize winner will receive four coach tickets to fly to the winner’s choice of any of these three cities on Lufthansa or Northwest (a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines) plus a pre-loaded credit or debit card with a cash value of $2,000 to cover other travel costs. Second and third prize winners will each receive two coach tickets to fly to the winner’s choice of the same destinations offered to the grand prize winner. Full details and official rules of contest can be found at www.flypdx.com or by sending a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to: Be a Local Super Hero, KGW TV8; 1501 SW Jefferson Street, Portland, OR 97201. Indicate “Be a Local Super Hero Rules” on the outside of the envelope.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, February 5, 2009

WWL adding monthly call
to Port of Tacoma

TACOMA — WWL's North America to Europe service will now call at Port of Tacoma every month. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), a global leader in factory-to-dealer logistics, has launched a monthly service from Tacoma as part of its east-bound Asia to North America to Europe trade. The new service will accept cargo in Tacoma bound for Europe, and also for Australia, South America, and the Caribbean via transshipment in Manzanillo.


Alliances plan to suspend
joint Black Sea service

TOKYO — the New World Alliance (TNWA) - Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), APL, and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) - and Grand Alliance (GA) - Hapag-Lloyd, MISC Berhad, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) - have announced the suspension of their joint Black Sea service, the EBX (East-Mediterranean/Black Sea Express). The EBX has been operating since mid-June 2008 and deployed eight ships each with a capacity of 5,000 TEU. The last westbound sailing of the EBX will depart Shanghai on February 12, 2009.


Air Canada adding Portland
to non-stop list calling Calgary

PORTLAND — Air Canada has announced the introduction of four new non-stop routes serving Calgary, Alberta. Starting June 15, 2009, Air Canada will offer the only non-stop service between Portland and Calgary. On May 15, 2009, Air Canada will introduce the only daily non-stop service between San Diego and Calgary, and on June 1, daily non-stop flights to London, Ontario, and seasonal service to Whitehorse, Yukon will be launched.


APL announces deal
to be partner in Port of Salalah

SINGAPORE — APL and Port of Salalah have announced the creation of a 50:50 joint venture (JV) to operate a new two-berth container terminal. The JV will start operations in 2011, after completion of the planned expansion of the container terminal at the Port of Salalah, which is both the facility owner/operator and port authority.The JV covers a 28-hectare deepsea facility that will have a total quay length of 700 metres and an annual capacity of 1.6 million TEU. It will be capable of servicing container vessels of more than 10,000 TEU. The group’s global portfolio of terminals includes wholly owned terminals on the US West Coast, Japan and Taiwan as well as joint venture interests in Thailand and Vietnam. APL is also part of the consortium that won in 2007 the concession to operate the first container terminal of Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam. The Port of Salalah began operations in 1998 and currently has six container berths, with a capacity of 4.5 million TEU. Port of Salalah has a 30-year concession to operate the port and also acts as the Port Authority. APM Terminals owns 30 percent of Port of Salalah, with public and private Omani interests owning the balance. The JV will also invest in super post-panamax cranes and other container handling equipment and systems.


Port of Bellingham sponsoring
Charterfest at Squalicum Harbor event

BELLINGHAM — Hedge your vacation dollar and start planning now for the 2009 summer boating season by attending the fifth annual Charterfest at Squalicum Harbor. Chartering from Bellingham is a great way to tour the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands, celebrate an anniversary or birthday, or take the fishing trip of a lifetime. Motoryachts and sailboats will be on display and representatives from local Bellingham charter companies will be on hand to answer questions and even book that dream vacation. This event is sponsored by the Port of Bellingham and participating charter companies, Bellhaven Charters, Par Yacht Charters, San Juan Sailing and San Juan Yachting. For more information, call the Squalicum Harbor Office at (360) 676-2542 or visit the port's website, www.portofbellingham.com.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Bob Coleman wins
2009 Old Salt Award

PORTLAND — The Portland Shipping Club has announced that Robert (Bob) E. Coleman of Allports Forwarding is the 2009 recipient of the Old Salt Award. Mr. Coleman started in the industry in 1969 as a courier for Harper Robinson. He didn’t really decide that this was an industry he wanted to be a part of as he knew nothing about it. You could kind of say he fell into it! He was sent by an employment agency and it was this or sell women’s shoes. That said, Mr. Coleman has spent the last 40 years trying to make the Brokerage and Forwarding Industry a better place. The Old Salt Award will be presented February 12, 2009 at the event "MURDER AT CAPONE’S PLACE," presented by the Propeller Club, Port of the Columbia River and Portland Shipping Club. For TICKETS call Doris Allen at (503) 220-2098.


Study finds Port of Seattle
bringing jobs to Puget Sound area

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle’s activities and facilities are responsible for more than 190,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region – good news for an area hit hard by the uptick in unemployment. Port facilities also generate over $17 billion in revenue for businesses who provide services to those facilities, including port tenants; and produce $867 million each year in state and local tax dollars. The jobs and revenues generated by the port place the public agency near the top of key area employers such as Weyerhaeuser, Boeing, and Paccar. The report’s author, John C. Martin, has prepared more than 500 economic and planning studies for US ports. The 2007 Port of Seattle study shows a slight decrease in the numbers of direct jobs attached to the port’s facilities – in 2007, those facilities created more than 111,000 direct jobs, down from the 2003 number of 115,000. In addition, indirect jobs – those created by the purchases of goods and services by firms doing business with the Port – decreased by about 6,000 to just over 20,000.


TWIC card now required
to enter Port of Everett facilities

EVERETT — On Feb. 1, the Port of Everett began requiring all waterfront workers and vendors needing access to the port’s Marine Terminals to present their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card to gain access. This requirement goes into effect throughout the Puget Sound region on Feb. 28. This program requires all personnel who need unescorted access to the port’s international shipping facilities to have this new, high-tech biometric security card, said Scott Grindy, the port’s Facilities and Security Director. To date, approximately 2,500 people have secured a TWIC card to access Port of Everett facilities. In order to obtain an access card, individuals must undergo an extensive background check, submit their fingerprints and pay $132.50 to the Transportation Security Administration for a processing cost. Individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as murder, espionage, treason, conspiracy, a federal crime of terrorism and other disqualifying offenses would be unable to obtain a TWIC card. This process does allow for appeals however. Complete TWIC program information can be found on the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport site at http://homeport.uscg.mil/twic or on the TSA Web site at http://www.tsa.gov/twic.


Foss Maritime launches
world's first true hybrid tug

LONG BEACH, CA — On Friday, January 23, around 300 leaders from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the state of California, and Foss Maritime Company gathered with business, government and media representatives to welcome the world’s first true hybrid tug, Foss’ Green Assist™, to southern California.
At an unveiling ceremony for the hybrid tug, named CAROLYN DOROTHY, Foss presented special awards of recognition to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to thank them for their generous support of the development of the Green Assist™. Among the attendees were representatives from California State Government, including Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, Senators Diane Feinstein and Jenny Oropeza’s offices, and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal. The Green Assist Hybrid Tug was built by Foss Maritime, a Seattle-based marine services company specializing in worldwide marine transportation and logistics. Foss partnered with Aspin Kemp & Associates and their affiliate XeroPoint to develop the unique hybrid power management system.


Alaska Airlines adding
new Northwest flights

PORTLAND — Alaska Airlines has announced it will inaugurate daily service between Seattle and Austin, Texas, starting Aug. 3, 2009, and thrice-weekly service between Portland and Maui starting Aug. 7, 2009. The airline also announced it is expanding its seasonal service between Anchorage, Alaska, and Maui to year-round. Alaska Airlines inaugurated service to Hawaii in October 2007. The airline currently offers daily non-stop flights between Seattle and Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii; and between Anchorage and Oahu, Kauai and Maui. The new Seattle-Austin flight will depart Seattle at 9:45 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 3:40 p.m. Central time. The return flight will depart Austin at 4:40 p.m. Central time and arrive at 6:45 p.m. Pacific time. The new Portland-Maui flight will depart Portland at 9:50 a.m. Pacific time Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive at Kahului Airport at 12:45 p.m. Hawaii time. The return flight will depart Maui at 1:45 p.m. Hawaii time the same days and arrive at 10:15 p.m. Pacific time. Alaska Airlines will operate the flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, February 2, 2009

Seattle Port Commissioners
name new cruise terminal

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle Commissioners have voted to name Seattle's new cruise facility being constructed on Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. The new two-story, 143,000 square foot building has views of Puget Sound, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. The new terminal opens April 24, 2009 when Holland America Line's ms AMSTERDAM sails into Puget Sound signaling the beginning of the 2009 cruise season. The new terminal provides two, 1200 foot berths both equipped with shore power facilities--eliminating the need for vessels to run their diesel engines while at dock and creating a significant savings in fuel costs, plus the environmental benefit of no air emissions. The new terminal will serve as homeport for Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.


Washington Ferries Division
releases draft Long-Range Plan

SEATTLE — Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) has released its revised draft Long-Range Plan. The revised draft plan highlights a need for $1.3 billion to $3.3 billion in new funding over the next 22 years to maintain the ferry system. The revised draft plan defines two very different scenarios for the state ferry system. Scenario A would make minor improvements to the system, but it would also require $3.3 billion of additional funding over the next 22 years. Scenario B would cut back some service and pare the system to its bare essentials, reducing the funding need to $1.3 billion. The revised draft plan updates a draft document released on Dec. 19, 2008 for public review and comment. WSF accepted comments on the draft through Monday, Jan. 26. During the 38-day comment period, WSF conducted a total of 10 public hearings in ferry-served communities to present the draft plan and to listen to public testimony. More than 1,300 individuals attended the public hearings, and hundreds in attendance testified. In addition, WSF received more than 800 written comments. To obtain a copy of the revised plan or read the public comments submitted between Dec. 19, 2008 and Jan. 26, 2009, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358.


Port Metro Vancouver
seeking committee members

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver is now accepting applications from community members for the North Shore Waterfront Liaison Committee (NSWLC). There is a need to foster a uniform approach to communication among all groups on the North Shore about port issues, operations and development. The NSWLC is a mechanism for dialogue and communications bringing together up to 16 representatives of North Shore municipal, First Nations, industry, Port Metro Vancouver, and community interests to discuss developments, identify concerns, provide suggestions, and facilitate two-way communication among respective constituencies about port industrial and transportation operations and issues on the North Shore. Up to six community representatives will be selected, with no more than two from each North Shore municipality. Interested representatives of the general public, community groups and businesses on the North Shore are encouraged to submit an application available at www.portmetrovancouver.com. Applicants must be North or West Vancouver residents and will be evaluated based on relevant technical or social experience and expertise; knowledge of port and industrial operations and related issues on the North Shore; community, business or other affiliations; communication tools, experience, knowledge and/or expertise; and experience participating on a similar committee. Committee Members will be requested to attend bi-monthly meetings on weekday evenings at locations on the North Shore. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on February 13, 2009.


Evergreen taps Pratt & Whitney
for aircraft maintenance agreement

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. company, and Evergreen International Airlines, Inc., a global cargo operator headquartered in McMinnville, OR., have signed a four-year aircraft engine maintenance agreement. Pratt & Whitney will provide line maintenance services, including engine changes, to maintain a fleet of PW4000, JT9D and CF6 engines in an agreement renewable up to an additional 20 years. Financial terms were not disclosed. Evergreen International Airlines has been providing global passenger and cargo air services for more than 40 years. Evergreen uses worldwide operating authority and a network of global offices and affiliations to handle customer requirements.


Coast Guard wants help
to stop navigation aid vandals

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is asking for the public's help to put a stop to the vandalism of Aids to Navigation (ATON) throughout Washington and Oregon. Vandalism to ATON has cost taxpayers and the Coast Guard more than $117,000 since 2005. Navigational aids along the Columbia River between Astoria and Kennewick, have been the target of more than 30 counts of vandalism during that time. "We've had problems with people shooting at the aids and using their vehicles to inflict damage to the land-based aids," said Timothy Westcott, an Aids to Navigation manager for the Coast Guard. "People don't realize vandalizing an ATON is like vandalizing a stop sign. If you remove a stop sign, people could be injured. Damaging an ATON can have the same effect possibly resulting in serious injuries, loss of life or catastrophic damage to the environment." Those found guilty of vandalism to ATON can be fined up $2500 and imprisoned for up to five years. Anybody witnessing vandalism to a navigational aid or finding a damaged aid should contact the nearest Coast Guard unit.